Two years! A challenge
Time flew, and two years passed in the blink of an eye.
The rumors about Di Chen gradually died down. People still mentioned him occasionally, but more often, it was about some holy land's
ancient freak emerging into the world. Even the mysterious, unfathomable Great Luo Holy Land began to see them appear one after another...
At the center of the Sword Sect's square...
This outsider had sat cross-legged here for two years, still quietly pursuing his enlightenment.
"Two years have passed, and this outsider hasn't made an inch of progress. Why hasn't there been any movement?" The disciples shook their heads inwardly. They simply did not believe some random greenhorn was a heaven-sent genius, even if the sect master had brought him personally.
After two years, the disciples had long since put him out of their minds, even forgetting he existed. Only Zhang Yu and a few senior brothers often stayed nearby to observe him...
Only they, with their deep understanding of the sword path, knew that the youth before them harbored an inscrutable sword intent. This sword intent seemed to merge with heaven and earth, to shine alongside the sun and moon, as though it had already taken form.
Hum!
Suddenly, a ring of ripples spread around the youth who had shown no reaction for two years.
Boom...
The ripples swept across the entire square in an instant, like towering, raging waves.
Pfft...
Zhang Yu, who bore the brunt of it, spat out a mouthful of blood and fell backward. The other disciples were no different, blasted away and coughing up blood.
"How could this be...?"
Everyone was utterly terrified. Just what kind of sword intent was this? How could it be so terrifying?
At last, after two years, Di Chen, who had remained seated cross-legged before the Sword Stele, abruptly opened his eyes.
Whoosh~~~
Cold and keen, like a treasured sword drawn from its sheath, its edge fully revealed.
Boom~
The surrounding space shattered instantly, dissolving into nothingness.
"Sword intent? No, this is sword force. Perfected sword force-no, it's even stronger than sword force. Could it be..." Fifth Senior Brother Qin Lan said in horror.
At this moment, Di Chen's eyes shone like stars, his presence surging fiercely, as though it would shatter the heavens.
He now gave the impression of boundless vastness, as though his every movement could cleave the firmament and suppress all eight directions, making others unable to resist kneeling in submission and worship...
"Monster, freak! I'm afraid neither can describe this youth. To comprehend the law of the sword with a Great Saint cultivation." A shocked voice came from afar.
Whoosh...
In an instant, everyone looked over together. A white-robed young man strode toward them, his long hair draped over his shoulders. He was extraordinarily handsome, his face cold, a chilling sword intent emanating from him. "Ah! Third Senior Brother! Greetings, Third Senior Brother!"
...Everyone bowed in salute. Third Senior Brother held an exalted position within the Sword Sect, for his strength already surpassed everyone present.
"Dispense with the formalities." The white-robed man waved his hand.
"Thank you, Third Senior Brother." The disciples all stepped back.
"Third Senior Brother, what brings you here?" Zhang Yu asked respectfully.
"What? Am I not welcome to take a stroll here?" the white-robed man said indifferently.
"You're welcome, of course you're welcome," Zhang Yu said hurriedly, though he muttered inwardly, You look ready to call someone to account. What am I supposed to say?
The white-robed man ignored Zhang Yu and gazed solemnly at Di Chen. There was absolutely no mistaking that presence just now.
A law-the Law of the Sword!
"What a Law of the Sword! To comprehend it with a Great Saint cultivation! Hahaha..." Wild laughter rang through the heavens.
Di Chen looked at the white-robed man, two intimidating beams of divine light shooting from his pitch-black eyes. "Who are you?"
"Bai Mu, Third Senior Brother of the Sword Sect! Your talent defies the heavens more than anyone I've ever seen. Even Eldest Senior Brother falls slightly short," Bai Mu said indifferently, a trace of fighting spirit flashing through his eyes.
"Oh, is that so?" Di Chen said indifferently.
"What? Don't dare fight me?" Bai Mu challenged.
"Heh, I'll oblige you," Di Chen said indifferently.
"Splendid! I'll give you time to consolidate your strength. I'll be waiting in the arena!" With that, Bai Mu leaped onto the arena first...
"Come quickly, come quickly! Third Senior Brother is going to fight that
outsider!" a disciple shouted, drawing everyone's attention. They all ran to the edge of the arena, wanting a clear view. This outsider had actually prompted Senior Brother Bai Mu to challenge him...
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Amid a flurry of sharp sounds slicing through the air, hundreds of disciples who had heard the news gathered around the vast arena within moments.
"Third Senior Brother is mighty! You have to teach that brat a lesson!" the disciples clamored.
"Third Senior Brother, you can do it! Beat that brat flat!"
"Third Senior Brother, give him a sound beating!"
"..."
"Heh! A mere Supreme. There's no need to consolidate this cultivation. He'll be just right for testing my progress over these past two years," Di Chen
murmured, a keen light flickering in his eyes.
Thud!
The next moment, Di Chen leaped effortlessly onto the arena and stood with his hands behind his back.
The two faced each other. Streams of sword intent around them
surged.
"Please instruct me," Di Chen said indifferently, his tone so utterly flat that he seemed not to take Bai Mu seriously at all.
"Heh!" Bai Mu smiled faintly without growing angry. Twisting his body, he instantly launched himself off the ground. His right hand clenched tight, he pointed his sword at Di Chen. "State your name."
"Defeat me, and you'll find out," Di Chen said with a shrug.
"You've got character. Then I won't hold back." Bai Mu's gaze abruptly sharpened. He pointed his sword at Di Chen, and a dazzling silver light instantly blossomed. Sword light flashed, tearing through the air and piercing the sky as it stabbed toward Di Chen.
Whoosh!
Di Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, a wisp of golden flame bursting from them. Clenching his right hand, he threw a punch. Space seemed to tear apart, with faint roars of dragons and tigers.
Clang!
A tremendous crash resounded throughout the grounds. A visible ring of shock waves spread in every direction.
Crack!
A stone slab shattered outright. Startled, the disciples hurriedly circulated their cultivation to resist. When the dust cleared, the two stood separately atop the arena.
A trace of surprise appeared in Di Chen's eyes. "Hmm?" He had used seventy percent of his strength in that punch. Even against an ordinary Quasi-Emperor, it would have been enough to crush and kill them. Worthy of the Sword Sect's Third Senior Brother indeed!
"You're strong," Bai Mu said slowly after a moment's contemplation. This time, he did not dare put on airs. Di Chen truly was strong.
Di Chen said nothing, watching Bai Mu calmly.
"Again," Bai Mu shouted in a low voice. Holding his longsword, he leaped up and instantly slashed down. Sword Qi stretched like a rainbow, carrying sky-swallowing momentum as it cleaved toward Di Chen.
The corners of Di Chen's mouth curved slightly. He stepped forward and stamped his right foot hard against the ground, instantly launching himself into the air. He struck out with his palm.
Bang...
Even the air exploded beneath his palm.
Bai Mu's gaze abruptly sharpened. Sword light flashed, and sword intent swept in all directions. The two attacks collided with a violent crash, sword winds raging.
Thud, thud, thud...
Bai Mu stumbled back repeatedly, his expression shifting slightly as he thought, How is this possible! Am I not even qualified to force him to use a sword?!!